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KU softball on Missouri trash talk: 'We're better than that'

Jayhawks, Tigers could play for first time since Missouri left for SEC in 2012

LAWRENCE — The Kansas softball players are aware of Corrin Genovese’s words. And really, how could they not be?

The Jayhawks learned Sunday that they were one of the final teams to reach the NCAA Tournament, earning a spot in the Columbia, Mo., regional with a Friday matchup against Nebraska. Win, and KU most likely would take on regional host Missouri on Saturday.

And while that would already be interesting — the Jayhawks and Tigers haven’t met head to head in any sport since MU left for the SEC in July 2012 — MU shortstop Genovese added to the plot with some words she delivered Sunday to PowerMizzou.com.

“I know they’re kind of scared to play us in football and basketball, so it’s good that we can keep tradition going and hopefully let them know who’s boss and who will always be better in the rivalry,” Genovese told PowerMizzou.com.

Genovese later added: “We wanted to keep the tradition going. They backed out, they felt disrespected. But for us to be the first team to play them after that went down, I think it’s a big statement game. KU’s done everything they can to avoid us the last couple years playing so they might lose the first round, you never know.”

When asked about MU on Tuesday, KU’s players admitted they had heard the chatter.

“They’re going to say what they’re going to say,” KU pitcher Alicia Pille said. “They’re just trying to get a rise out of people.”

Did it work?

“You can’t not be mad when someone says something like that, but there’s no reason to say anything back to it. It doesn’t help the situation,” Pille said. “It’s not really the most mature thing they could have done. We’re better than that.”

“This is a little more special for me. I’ve always wanted to play Missouri at Missouri,” Kessler said. “I think that the opportunity — of course we’re focused on Nebraska first 100 percent — but the opportunity would be good. I think it brings more public interest to softball that we don’t always get.”

A KU-MU game on Missouri’s campus likely would bring more than hardcore softball fans. Casual Tigers supporters also would have the rare opportunity to take out their frustrations on their biggest rival.

“I think people just got excited at the possibility of it coming back,” Kessler said. “I got on Twitter and a lot of people are just … it’s been two years waiting. But that’s a lot of pressure for us, and I know they’re waiting for football and basketball moreso than softball.”

The junior Pille has seen a rowdy atmosphere in Columbia before. As a freshman, her first Big 12 game came at Missouri, an experience she described as “different” and “loud.”

“That was a bit of a wake-up call,” Pille said. “But I can’t wait to go back again and just make a statement this time.”

Of course, to get to that matchup, KU (33-21) will most likely have to take care of Nebraska first. The Cornhuskers (40-15) previously defeated the Jayhawks, 1-0, on March 15 in Lawrence.

If KU-MU does happen, though, expect Genovese’s words to remain with the Jayhawks.

“You try to ignore it. They’re going to say what they’re going to say,” Pille said. “I can’t wait. I hope we get the opportunity to play them. I really do.

Brickey, who also was second-team all-conference a year ago, hit .333 in conference play with four home runs, 11 walks and a team-best 13 RBIs.

Stein, meanwhile, started all 18 conference games at first base while recording just one error.

WEIS TO BE IN TOPEKA— KU football coach Charlie Weis will join athletic director Sheahon Zenger at a KU football preview event at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at 6th Avenue Ballroom, 117 SW 6th Ave. The free event is open to the public and will have 2014 commemorative football items and chances for fans to win autographed merchandise and tickets.